Angel in the Badlands: space opera sci fi romance (Sons of Amber Book 1) by Bianca D'Arc
Authors: Bianca D'Arc
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see us?”
“Actually, they’ve already pinged the hull twice, but our newly-bodged-together camo unit is still online and sending out false readings. The jits won’t be able to tell if we’re a ship or just another large rock formation unless they do a visual inspection. If we move now, we’ll get to them first.” He pushed on the yoke to lift the ship off the ground. “And then, with a little luck, you’ll blast that shuttle out of the sky.”
Angela was a little frightened at first when the ship lurched off the ground. She’d never been in a spacecraft before, and was unfamiliar with the sensations of its flight.
“Sorry for the bumpy ride.” Zeke must have noticed her discomfort. “This thing isn’t space worthy anymore, but she’s just fine for an atmospheric run. Don’t worry.”
“If you say so.” She put her faith in destiny and went back to studying the weapons array.
She felt confident that she could work the controls. The aiming was mostly done by computer, so all she had to do was decide when and with what to hit the enemy. She could do that. The colony was depending on her.
She had been in telepathic communication with her brother first, then her father. He wanted updating as events moved along, but he was far too busy scrambling his own troops at the moment to communicate with her. She had given him the gist of their plan and he had wished her well before focusing his attention on colony defense.
They would coordinate, if necessary, as the battle evolved, but Angela hoped that wouldn’t be necessary. If Zeke’s plan worked, she would destroy the shuttle, then deal with whatever else the mother ship had to offer as they went along.
She also kept her eye on the chrono. The cavalry, as Zeke had called it, was due to arrive shortly. If they could just hold out until the Regulus showed up…
She made that her goal. Surviving to the next minute, and then the next, counting down the time until help arrived. Surely they could keep the jits from landing and exposing the colony to the bioweapon for just long enough. Couldn’t they?
Zeke banked the ship sharply and the movement jarred her back to the moment. She had to focus. These weapons systems were slightly different—newer to be sure—than what she was used to, but she felt confident that she could do her part.
“I’m approaching the shuttle from below and aft of its rear thrusters. Get a hit on those and it’ll go fireball very nicely. What do you say?” Zeke asked, sparing her a glance.
She met his gaze with steady determination. “Just point me in the right direction and I’ll do my best.”
He held her gaze for a moment, as if wanting to take the measure of her resolve. She thought maybe she understood why he was questioning it and she sought to put his mind at ease.
“Look, I know you’re wondering if I can kill those jits in the shuttle. You’re probably thinking that because I’m a healer, I may lack the nerve to do what is necessary. And you’re right to wonder. For most healers, it would be difficult to pull the trigger, but I’m not most healers. I was born to a warrior family and after talking with you, I realize what’s on the line here. That one shuttle could kill every man I know. My father. My brothers. That shuttle doesn’t just contain a group of jit warriors, but a deadly contagion that could wipe out the life I’ve always known. If you’re wondering if I can kill them—and it—wonder no more. I’ll kill anyone and anything that threatens my family and my home.”
She thought she saw new respect enter Zeke’s gaze. He simply nodded and turned back to his instruments, but she felt vindicated. As if she’d just won a hard-to-come-by approval. It felt good and helped her focus like nothing else would have. They were gaining speed, traveling higher through the atmosphere. She had the shuttle on her scope now and wondered if they saw her as well.
The answer came as a beam weapon shot across
“Actually, they’ve already pinged the hull twice, but our newly-bodged-together camo unit is still online and sending out false readings. The jits won’t be able to tell if we’re a ship or just another large rock formation unless they do a visual inspection. If we move now, we’ll get to them first.” He pushed on the yoke to lift the ship off the ground. “And then, with a little luck, you’ll blast that shuttle out of the sky.”
Angela was a little frightened at first when the ship lurched off the ground. She’d never been in a spacecraft before, and was unfamiliar with the sensations of its flight.
“Sorry for the bumpy ride.” Zeke must have noticed her discomfort. “This thing isn’t space worthy anymore, but she’s just fine for an atmospheric run. Don’t worry.”
“If you say so.” She put her faith in destiny and went back to studying the weapons array.
She felt confident that she could work the controls. The aiming was mostly done by computer, so all she had to do was decide when and with what to hit the enemy. She could do that. The colony was depending on her.
She had been in telepathic communication with her brother first, then her father. He wanted updating as events moved along, but he was far too busy scrambling his own troops at the moment to communicate with her. She had given him the gist of their plan and he had wished her well before focusing his attention on colony defense.
They would coordinate, if necessary, as the battle evolved, but Angela hoped that wouldn’t be necessary. If Zeke’s plan worked, she would destroy the shuttle, then deal with whatever else the mother ship had to offer as they went along.
She also kept her eye on the chrono. The cavalry, as Zeke had called it, was due to arrive shortly. If they could just hold out until the Regulus showed up…
She made that her goal. Surviving to the next minute, and then the next, counting down the time until help arrived. Surely they could keep the jits from landing and exposing the colony to the bioweapon for just long enough. Couldn’t they?
Zeke banked the ship sharply and the movement jarred her back to the moment. She had to focus. These weapons systems were slightly different—newer to be sure—than what she was used to, but she felt confident that she could do her part.
“I’m approaching the shuttle from below and aft of its rear thrusters. Get a hit on those and it’ll go fireball very nicely. What do you say?” Zeke asked, sparing her a glance.
She met his gaze with steady determination. “Just point me in the right direction and I’ll do my best.”
He held her gaze for a moment, as if wanting to take the measure of her resolve. She thought maybe she understood why he was questioning it and she sought to put his mind at ease.
“Look, I know you’re wondering if I can kill those jits in the shuttle. You’re probably thinking that because I’m a healer, I may lack the nerve to do what is necessary. And you’re right to wonder. For most healers, it would be difficult to pull the trigger, but I’m not most healers. I was born to a warrior family and after talking with you, I realize what’s on the line here. That one shuttle could kill every man I know. My father. My brothers. That shuttle doesn’t just contain a group of jit warriors, but a deadly contagion that could wipe out the life I’ve always known. If you’re wondering if I can kill them—and it—wonder no more. I’ll kill anyone and anything that threatens my family and my home.”
She thought she saw new respect enter Zeke’s gaze. He simply nodded and turned back to his instruments, but she felt vindicated. As if she’d just won a hard-to-come-by approval. It felt good and helped her focus like nothing else would have. They were gaining speed, traveling higher through the atmosphere. She had the shuttle on her scope now and wondered if they saw her as well.
The answer came as a beam weapon shot across
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